Summary of Understanding Islam, a solution to: THE TRIALS OF LIFE (3)

       Can fitan (trials) be like the punishment of Allaah? 

Dr. Saleh al Fawzan حفظه الله

The word fitan (trials and tribulations) is the plural of fitnah which means being tested and trialed, such that the truth or hypocrisy of one’s faith is made apparent. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:

‘There are amongst mankind who say: “We believe in Allaah,” but if they are trialed in the cause of Allaah, they consider the trial of mankind similar to the punishment of Allaah..’ ⁵

So this type of person is not patient upon the afflictions that befall him which would have made him firm upon the truth. Rather, he runs away from his religion and follows those things that turn him away from his religion. He does this, thinking that he is going to be saved. However, he leaves one evil only to fall into another greater evil; like the one who tries to take refuge from scorching sand (he lifts up one foot from the ground only to place the other on it). He considers the trials of the people like the punishment of Allaah, but can the trials of the people be like the punishment of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى?

If he were to leave his religion and agree to remain with those that lead him astray, he will head towards the punishment of Allaah. Yet if he were to be patient upon the harms of the people and, in turn, hold fast to his religion this pain that afflicts him would only be temporary. A way out would be close and the end result would be good. However, this person followed the opposite course. He was not patient upon the harms of the people and their trials, but rather he followed them in disobedience to Allaah. He followed them in what they called him to, in terms of disbelief in Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, so he went towards the grievous punishment of Allaah.

Fitnah means a trial and a test. The truthful and faithful one once tested will be made apparent from those who are unstable and not firm. The truthful and faithful one who has a good understanding of his religion is firm upon his belief as opposed to the one who is shaken by the first trial that befalls him.

¹Saheeh al-Bukhaaree no.3606, Kitab al-Manaaqib (Virtues) –The signs of Prophethood in Islam. Saheeh Muslim no.4761 Kitaab al-Imara (leadership) – The command to hold onto the Jamaa’ah when trials appear and warning from the callers to disbelief.

⁵Soorah al-Ankabout: 10.